Man it feels good to be a Hornets fan! I can remember a time when I was writing game recaps for the Bobcats, and we would be excited if we were able to create a win streak of 2 games. Now, we are amidst a 4-game win streak, having knocked off the Minnesota Timberwolves in what, according to the win-loss total, should have been a breeze. Unfortunately, the Hornets had to really dig in their stingers in the second half in order to pull out the 108 – 103 victory. This makes our 3rd 4-game win streak this season. The season high streak is 5 at this point. I’m really hoping to see our Hornets beat that streak with more solid wins to propel us into a higher playoff seed. We’re currently sitting at #6, but I’m riding a high of some of the best pro basketball Charlotte has produced in the last 11 years, so I’m going to be greedy. I’d like to see us get to a 5 seed, or dare I say a 4 seed. I want it, and I believe with a few adjustments, we can get there.
Let me take a moment to point out a few things about this game last night. Many thought we should have won easily. The T-Wolves are 10th among NBA teams in offensive efficiency. The Hornets are 12th in that category. That alone should have raised some concern. Just because they are a 20–44 team does not mean that the games are easily won. I saw the Bobcats lose plenty of times to teams that they were statistically better than (it happened). I also saw those Bobcats beat teams that were statistically better than they were (Lakers). Last night’s game being a close one…I wasn’t surprised. The T-wolves are a young, hungry team with a good bit of talent that cannot be ignored. Towns is a phenomenal player, and his 28 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal, and 2 blocks steer you to believe that. I’d love to have him as a Hornet because he is superstar material. Those 28 points were anywhere from in the paint to long 2-point jumpers. He’s quite the amazing player. How did the Hornets pull off the victory? Well we have a defensive efficiency of 9th while the T-Wolves are 27th in the league. That was a key part of it. Minnesota also turned the ball over a little more than we did (15-13). In the end, our 3-point shooting and defense beat out a team not known for shooting the 3.
Who were the standout players last night? Well, Kemba Walker is on an absolute tear right now, scoring 34 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing 6 assists. His primary helper to put points on the board was Al Jefferson. Al had 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists, coming in with the second unit. Al said that he actually is enjoying coming in off of the bench and is thankful to be getting to play. Marvin Williams had 15 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, & 3 blocks. Rounding out the double-figure scorers was Nic Batum with 11 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks.
Bench Force One was also in play as key contributors to the game. Jeremy Lin scored 4 of his 9 points at the free throw line to seal the game for the Hornets. He also had 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal on the night. Other notable players include:
Cody Zeller – 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block
Jeremy Lamb – 7 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist
Courtney Lee – 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists
Frank Kaminsky – 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 steals
Every Hornets player that got minutes in this game scored points and contributed to the win. Are there things that they need to do better to make these wins be more comfortable? Absolutely. Batum needs to be more consistent. He goes from great games with scoring the ball to games where he seems almost invisible for most of the game. Last night was one such night. Courtney Lee is still trying to get comfortable with the team. He’s struggling way more than I expected him to, and I am assuming that it is because he’s new here. Jeremy Lin has to find his shot. I know he has it, and I really can’t put my finger on what is troubling him. I thought it might have been his ankle, but surely it is better now. Like all players, I know he’s in a slump, and I also know that he’s the type of player that can come out of that slump and be better than ever. I’m just hoping to see him emerge before the playoffs start. A starting 5 of Kemba, Lin, Batum, Marvin, and Cody could really make some noise in the playoffs, but only if Lin can get out of that slump. Now is the time for Lin to show that he deserves the starting spot or the closing spot in games over Lee. If Jeremy Lamb could emerge and play like he did at the beginning of the season, we would be scary good. He’s just been spotty as of late. Cody has emerged as one heck of an NBA center, but Karl Anthony Towns made him look bad last night. Cody is a very athletic 7-footer with great footwork, but guarding Towns is like guarding a stretch-4 with range galore.
Obviously, there is still work to be done before the playoffs get here. The biggest thing to remember is that EVERY game counts. Our win total counts. Most importantly, any time we get a lead, DO NOT TAKE OUR FOOT OFF THE GAS! Do not stop playing defense, and score the ball until the last buzzer sounds. We cannot get sloppy at any point in the game. We did that a little with the T-Wolves, and it almost bit us.
Next up is the Pelicans on Wednesday. We get another phenomenal player at center for Cody to face. Again, it’s going to be a brutal matchup that Marvin Williams may have to be assigned to. The Pelicans have an offensive efficiency rating of 16, and a defensive efficiency rating of 24. With their 24-38 record, they are just another team that cannot be taken lightly. We have to sharpen our stingers and swarm on these Pelicans. Let’s defend our Hive Wednesday and come away victorious!
Let’s Go Hornets!
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